Title: The Brain Full of Holes
Author: Martin Chatterton [website] [twitter]
Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Source: Provided by Publisher
Parental Warning: none

“Sheldon steeled himself.  He had to let his mother know their suspicions about Captain Schnurrbart.  It was not going to be a pleasant experience telling her she was married to a mustachioed double-crosser who’d been living a secret life as a psycho clock-shooter.  Sheldon would need a lot more hot chocolate to get through the next five minutes.  He picked up the kettle and switched on the tap as the kitchen door swung open.”

Summary (from the publisher):
What starts as a simple inquiry — where have the holes in the Swiss cheese gone? — escalates into a wacky scientific investigation, complete with a mysterious governmental organization, an enticing young blonde with a missing father, and a two-headed butler from another dimension.

Yes, it’s another case for the World’s Greatest Detective, Theophilus Nero Hercule Sherlock Wimsey Father Brown Marlowe Spade Christie Edgar Allen Brain (a.k.a. The Brain) and his loyal if confused sidekick Sheldon McGlone.

Opinion:
Zaniness abounds as Sheldon and The Brain jump back into the sleuthing business with both feet.  If you liked the first in this series (which I did) then you certainly won’t be disappointed with the follow up.  There is definitely no sophomore slump here!

In revisiting the boys Chatterton has made a few changes to both their surroundings and their behavior.  The Brain, ever the mastermind, shows a few chinks in his armor in this adventure.  He’s still as smart as ever but at times seems to step back to allow Sheldon to take the wheel.  Sheldon, on the other hand, is still as endearingly doofish as he was the first go round.  Only this time it’s twice as sweet because he’s got the new girl to pine for.

Speaking of which, the addition of Helga was fabulous.  A sassy and bold young girl, she kept pace with the boys (even out running them at times) where other ladies might have cowered back and let them do all the heavy lifting.  She was, without question, a fabulous addition to the team.

The plot of The Brain Full of Holes is just as quirky and fun as it’s predecessor.  The Brain and Sheldon are now living in Switzerland with Sheldon’s mum and her new husband Captain Schnurrbart.  The Captain is a big time security muckety muck whom the boys rely on to assist them in resolving their latest case. This case, involving the mysterious disappearance of Helga’s father, includes a marked rise in the appearance of strangely familiar (yet disconcertingly different) animals.  More importantly the team was working towards saving the world from it’s ultimate demise at the hands of a copious amount of Silly.

Mix all of this together and you have yourself one hell of an enjoyable mystery. A mystery that is neither predictable nor too twisty that middle graders will have difficulty following.

Filled with wacky situations The Brain Full of Holes will certainly entertain young reluctant readers.  While I personally see it being more of a boy book I do think the addition of Helga makes it increasingly appealing to young girls as well.  It’s definitely a good read for anyone who enjoys off-beat, entertaining and humorous stories.